UK Pension Calculator

Project your pension pot at retirement — personal and employer contributions, tax relief, and investment growth in GBP.

Project your UK pension pot

Auto-enrolment, AVCs and State Pension top-up

1Personal details
2Current pension pot
£
3Salary & contributions
£
Qualifying earnings band
Earnings between £6,708 and £50,270 (2026/27)
Auto-enrolled
£35,292
contributable
3.0%
5.0%
4Additional voluntary contributions & assumptions
£
5.0%
0.50%
Projected pot at retirement
AGE 67
£341,381
32 years to retirement £154,909 in today's money
Tax-free cash (25%)
£85,345
Drawdown income (4%)
£13,655/yr
+ State Pension
£12,548/yr

Annual snapshot

2026/27
Your contributions this year
Employer £1,059
Employee (after tax relief) £1,765
AVC / SIPP top-up £0
Total annual £2,823
Tax relief
£353
basic rate added
AA used
4.7%
of £60,000
Replacement
62%
of pre-retirement
On track: Minimum
Projected income (incl. State Pension) £26,203/yr
PLSA Moderate benchmark £31,700/yr
Gap to next standard £5,497/yr short

Your retirement snapshot

A plain-English summary of how the projection works. All figures are estimates based on the inputs above and current rules under HMRC, the Pensions Regulator, and DWP.

The summary in plain English. Based on your inputs, you are projected to retire at age 67 with a pension pot of £341,381. You can take 25% as a tax-free lump sum — up to £85,345 (capped by the £268,275 Lump Sum Allowance). Drawing the rest at the 4% safe withdrawal rate would give about £13,655/year, plus your full or partial new State Pension of £12,548/year — a total of £26,203/year. That sits at the PLSA Minimum level for a one-person household.
Projected pot
£341,381
25% Tax-free cash
£85,345
Annual income
£26,203
State Pension
£12,548
Lump Sum Allowance check: The maximum tax-free cash across all your pensions is £268,275 (the Lump Sum Allowance). Above this, lump sums are taxed at your marginal income tax rate. The Lifetime Allowance was abolished from 6 April 2024.

Year-by-year projection

Compound growth based on your salary, contribution rates, and assumed return less fees. Inflation-adjusted "today's money" column applies a 2.5% CPI assumption.

AgePot (nominal)Annual contribGrowthPot (today's £)
36£39,462£2,823£1,639£38,499
41£64,970£2,823£2,737£56,023
46£96,758£2,823£4,106£73,743
51£136,371£2,823£5,812£91,863
56£185,736£2,823£7,937£110,585
61£247,255£2,823£10,587£130,114
66£323,918£2,823£13,888£150,659
67£341,381£2,823£14,640£154,909
Real-terms note: Today's-money column adjusts the nominal pot by 2.5% annual inflation — a useful sense-check on what your projected pot would actually buy at retirement. Annual Allowance, LSA and PLSA standards are typically reviewed each year, so future caps may differ.

Where contributions go

Breakdown of this year's pension input by source, with tax relief shown separately. Higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers can claim extra relief through Self Assessment.

Employer (gross)
£1,059
Employee (gross)
£1,765
Tax relief boost
£353
AVC / SIPP
£0
Composition
Employer (3%+)£1,059
Employee (5%+)£1,765
Tax relief at marginal rate£353
AVC / SIPP top-up£0
How tax relief works: Pension contributions are paid from pre-tax income (or topped up at source for relief-at-source schemes). A £100 contribution costs an £80 net for basic-rate taxpayers, £60 net for higher-rate, £55 net for additional-rate.

PLSA Retirement Living Standards

Annual income needed (after tax, excluding rent or mortgage) for three retirement lifestyles, calculated by Loughborough University for the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association — figures verified May 2026.

StandardOne-personTwo-personPot needed (one-person)
Minimum
Basics + 1 UK holiday, no car
£13,400£21,600~£28,000
Moderate
Small car, 2-week European holiday
£31,700£43,900~£410,000
Comfortable
3-week holiday, kitchen replacements
£43,900£60,600~£670,000
Where you sit
Your projected income£26,203/yr
PLSA Minimum (one-person)£13,400/yr
PLSA Moderate (one-person)£31,700/yr
PLSA Comfortable (one-person)£43,900/yr
How pot sizes are calculated: Indicative ranges from the PLSA Retirement Living Standards 2025 update, assuming a level (non-inflation-linked) annuity at typical 2025 rates, full new State Pension received, and no rent or mortgage. PLSA's published one-person ranges are: Minimum £20,000–£35,000; Moderate £330,000–£490,000; Comfortable £540,000–£800,000. London budgets typically run £1,300–£3,200/year higher.

Adding voluntary contributions

See how an extra £100/month into AVCs or a SIPP changes the long-run picture. Higher-rate relief makes voluntary saving especially efficient above £50,270.

Without AVCs

Auto-enrolment minimum

Annual contribution£2,823
Pot at retirement£341,381
Income from pot (4%)£13,655
+ State Pension£12,548
Total annual£26,203
With £100/mo AVC

Including voluntary top-up

Annual contribution£4,023
Pot at retirement£425,634
Income from pot (4%)£17,025
+ State Pension£12,548
Total annual£29,573
Adding £100/month over 32 years grows your pot by an additional £84,253, lifting projected annual retirement income by £3,370. That extra £1,200/year of contribution is boosted by tax relief (worth around £240 at your marginal rate of 20%), so the real cost to you is closer to £960.
Annual Allowance reminder: Total contributions (including employer, employee, and AVCs) must stay within the £60,000 Annual Allowance for 2026/27. Carry-forward of unused allowance from the previous 3 tax years may apply where current-year contributions exceed £60,000.
Reference · 2026/27

UK Pension Rates & Allowances

Auto-enrolment thresholds, State Pension rates, Annual Allowance, Lump Sum Allowance and tax-relief rules for the 2026/27 tax year — sourced from HMRC, DWP, MoneyHelper, and The Pensions Regulator.

UK Pension Key Figures — 2026/27
From 6 April 2026
FigureValue (GBP)SourceWhat it means
Full new State Pension (weekly)GBP 241.30gov.uk+4.8% triple-lock uplift from 6 April 2026Annual equivalent GBP 12,548 — up from GBP 11,973 in 2025/26
Full basic State Pension (weekly)GBP 184.90gov.ukFor those who reached SPA before 6 April 2016Annual equivalent GBP 9,615 — up from GBP 9,175 in 2025/26
Auto-enrolment earnings triggerGBP 10,000TPRUnchanged for 2026/27Annual earnings level above which employers must auto-enrol eligible workers
Lower Earnings Limit (LEL)GBP 6,708DWPUnchanged for 2026/27Lower bound of qualifying earnings band on which contributions are calculated
Upper Earnings Limit (UEL)GBP 50,270DWPUnchanged for 2026/27Upper bound of qualifying earnings band — caps mandatory employer contribution
Annual AllowanceGBP 60,000HMRCSince 6 April 2023Maximum tax-relieved pension input per year (employer + employee + tax relief)
Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA)GBP 10,000HMRCTriggers when DC pension flexibly accessedReduced annual allowance applying to DC contributions after flexibly drawing pension
Lump Sum Allowance (LSA)GBP 268,275MoneyHelper25% of former LTALifetime cap on tax-free lump sums across all pensions
Lump Sum & Death Benefit AllowanceGBP 1,073,100MoneyHelperLSDBA — formerly the LTA valueLifetime cap on tax-free lump sums plus tax-free death benefits before age 75
Personal Allowance (income tax)GBP 12,570HMRCFrozen until April 2028Tax-free income threshold — full new State Pension uses GBP 12,548 of this

Auto-Enrolment Minimums

Statutory minimums on qualifying earnings since 6 April 2019 — unchanged for 2026/27.

Employer minimum3.0%
Employee minimum5.0%
Total minimum8.0%
Eligibility age22 to SPA

State Pension Ages

Currently 66, with legislated increases ahead.

Now (2026)66
Born 1960–197767 (phased 2026–2028)
Born from 197768 (phased 2044–2046)
Pension access age55 (→57 in 2028)

Triple Lock Uplift

State Pension increase each April — the higher of three measures.

CPI inflation (Sep 2025)3.8%
AWE growth (May–Jul 2025)4.8%
Floor2.5%
2026/27 uplift applied4.8%

Auto-Enrolment Contribution Rules

All UK employers must enrol eligible workers into a qualifying workplace pension scheme. Minimum contributions apply to qualifying earnings — gross earnings between GBP 6,708 and GBP 50,270 in 2026/27 — though employers may choose more generous calculation methods.

Qualifying earnings band — minimum contributions

ContributionRateNotes
Employer (legal minimum)3.0%Many employers contribute 5–10% as a competitive benefit
Employee (including basic-rate tax relief)5.0%Net cost is 4% (relief at source) for basic-rate taxpayers
Total minimum8.0%Of qualifying earnings only — not full salary

Worker categories

CategoryAge & earningsTreatment
Eligible jobholder22 to SPA, earning ≥ GBP 10,000Auto-enrolled — employer must enrol and contribute
Non-eligible jobholder16–74, earning GBP 6,708–10,000
or 16–21 / SPA–74 earning ≥ GBP 10,000
Opt-in — entitled to employer contribution if they opt in
Entitled worker16–74, earning < GBP 6,708Voluntary join — no mandatory employer contribution

Contribution base options

Employers can choose a different base than qualifying earnings (often more generous). The three certified bases are:

Common bases

  • Set 1 — Basic pay: contractual pay, often excludes overtime/bonus. Min 9% total (4% er, 5% ee).
  • Set 2 — Total earnings (≥85% basic): all earnings if basic pay ≥85% of total. Min 8%.
  • Set 3 — Total earnings: contributions on every pound. Min 7%.

Tax-relief methods

  • Relief at source: contributions deducted from net pay; provider claims 20% from HMRC.
  • Net pay arrangement: deducted before tax — relief is automatic at marginal rate.
  • Higher- and additional-rate taxpayers claim extra relief via Self Assessment.

UK State Pension

The State Pension is a regular government payment based on your National Insurance (NI) record. Two systems exist: the new State Pension for those reaching State Pension age (SPA) on or after 6 April 2016, and the basic State Pension for those who reached SPA before that date.

2026/27 weekly rates

SystemWeeklyAnnualQualifying years
Full new State PensionGBP 241.30GBP 12,54835 NI years for full rate; min 10 years for any
Full basic State PensionGBP 184.90GBP 9,61530 NI years for full rate
Pension Credit (Standard Min Guarantee — single)GBP 238.00GBP 12,376Means-tested top-up
Pension Credit (Standard Min Guarantee — couple)GBP 363.25GBP 18,889Means-tested top-up

State Pension age

BornState Pension ageNotes
6 Oct 1954 – 5 Apr 196066Currently the standard SPA
6 Apr 1960 – 5 Apr 197766 → 67Phased rise 2026–2028
From 6 Apr 197768Phased rise 2044–2046; subject to periodic review
Triple lock formula. Each April the State Pension increases by the highest of CPI inflation (September of the previous year), Average Weekly Earnings growth (May–July), or 2.5%. The 2026/27 uplift was 4.8%, in line with AWE growth.

Pension Allowances & Tax-Free Cash

The Lifetime Allowance was abolished on 6 April 2024. There is no longer a cap on the size of your pension fund — but tax-free cash is now controlled by the new Lump Sum Allowance and Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance.

Annual contribution limits (2026/27)

AllowanceLimitTrigger / scope
Annual Allowance (AA)GBP 60,000Total pension input per year — employer + employee + tax relief
Money Purchase Annual AllowanceGBP 10,000Replaces AA for DC contributions once flexibly accessed pension income
Tapered Annual AllowanceMin GBP 10,000Reduces by GBP 1 for every GBP 2 of adjusted income above GBP 260,000
Carry-forward window3 yearsUnused AA from the 3 previous tax years can be carried forward

Tax-free cash limits (lifetime)

AllowanceLimitApplies to
Lump Sum Allowance (LSA)GBP 268,275Lifetime cap on tax-free cash (PCLS, small pot, trivial commutation lump sums)
Lump Sum & Death Benefit Allowance (LSDBA)GBP 1,073,100Combined cap on tax-free lump sums plus tax-free death benefits before 75
Overseas Transfer Allowance (OTA)GBP 1,073,100Lifetime cap on transfers to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS)
Tax-free cash per pension25%Up to the LSA cap. Above LSA, lump sums taxed at marginal rate
Inheritance Tax change from April 2027. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will fall within scope of Inheritance Tax (IHT). Death-in-service lump sums are excluded. This is a significant change to estate planning around pensions.

Income tax bands (2026/27)

BandThreshold (GBP)RateTax relief on contributions
Personal Allowance0 – 12,5700%Relief at source provides 20% boost regardless
Basic rate12,571 – 50,27020%Automatic at source
Higher rate50,271 – 125,14040%Extra 20% claimed via Self Assessment
Additional rateAbove 125,14045%Extra 25% claimed via Self Assessment

Key Dates & Recent Changes

DateChangeImpact
6 April 2026State Pension uplift 4.8% under triple lockFull new SP rises to GBP 241.30/week (GBP 12,548/year)
6 April 2024Lifetime Allowance abolishedReplaced by LSA (GBP 268,275) and LSDBA (GBP 1,073,100)
6 April 2023Annual Allowance raised to GBP 60,000From GBP 40,000 — MPAA also raised to GBP 10,000
6 April 2027Pensions within scope of Inheritance TaxMost unused pension funds and death benefits become IHT-relevant
6 April 2028Pension access age rises to 57Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) up from 55 to 57
2026–2028State Pension age phased rise to 67Affects those born 6 April 1960 – 5 April 1977
UK Pension Dashboard · 2026/27

UK Pension Figures at a Glance

State Pension rates, auto-enrolment thresholds, contribution allowances, and PLSA Retirement Living Standards for the 2026/27 tax year — sourced from gov.uk, HMRC, DWP, and the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.

Annual Allowance
GBP 60,000
Max tax-relieved input · +50% from pre-2023 (GBP 40,000)
Lump Sum Allowance
GBP 268,275
Lifetime tax-free cash cap · 25% of former LTA
Triple Lock 2026
4.8%
State Pension uplift · AWE growth May–Jul 2025

UK pension figures over time

2020 – 2026/27
State Pension history. The full new State Pension has risen each April under the triple lock (the higher of CPI inflation, average wage growth, or 2.5%). The 2026/27 uplift of 4.8% takes the weekly rate to GBP 241.30 (GBP 12,548/year). Per gov.uk.

Auto-enrolment contribution split

Employer · 3% (37.5%)
Employee net · 4% (50.0%)
Tax relief · 1% (12.5%)

PLSA RLS — pot needed (one-person)

Pot sizes assume a level annuity plus the full new State Pension (GBP 12,548/year). The Retirement Living Standards are an industry benchmark published by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, not a government figure. Their published 2025 ranges for a one-person household are: Minimum GBP 20,000–35,000; Moderate GBP 330,000–490,000; Comfortable GBP 540,000–800,000. PerPLSA Retirement Living Standards 2025.

UK pension types at a glance

2026/27 figures
Pension typeHow it worksTax reliefAccess age
State Pension
Government payment based on NI record. Full new SP needs 35 qualifying years; 10 minimumN/A66 (rising to 67)
Workplace DC pension
Auto-enrolment minimum 8% of qualifying earnings (3% employer + 5% employee). Pot grows with investmentsAt marginal rate55 (→57 in 2028)
Defined Benefit pension
Promised income based on salary and service years. Increasingly rare outside public sectorAt marginal rateScheme-specific
SIPP / Personal pension
Self-managed pension. Full investment control. Counts toward GBP 60,000 Annual AllowanceAt marginal rate55 (→57 in 2028)
Tax-free cash. All UK private pensions allow up to 25% tax-free cash at retirement (called Pension Commencement Lump Sum or PCLS), capped at the GBP 268,275 Lump Sum Allowance across all pensions combined. The Lifetime Allowance was abolished from 6 April 2024. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds will fall within scope of Inheritance Tax. Per MoneyHelper.
UK Pension Updates · 2026

UK Pension News & Policy Updates

Latest gov.uk, HMRC, DWP, and Pensions Regulator policy changes — including 2026/27 State Pension uprating, the Pension Schemes Act 2026, dashboards connection deadline, and forthcoming changes to NMPA, IHT and allowances.

State Pension High Priority
6 April 2026

State Pension rises 4.8% under triple lock

From 6 April 2026, the full new State Pension rises to GBP 241.30 per week (GBP 12,548 per year) — up from GBP 230.25 in 2025/26. The 4.8% uplift was driven by Average Weekly Earnings growth (May–July 2025), the highest of the three triple-lock measures.

2026/27 weekly rates

  • Full new State Pension: GBP 241.30/week = GBP 12,548/year (+ GBP 575/year)
  • Full basic State Pension: GBP 184.90/week = GBP 9,615/year (+ GBP 439/year)
  • Pension Credit (single): GBP 238.00/week Standard Minimum Guarantee
  • Pension Credit (couple): GBP 363.25/week Standard Minimum Guarantee

Triple-lock measures applied

CPI inflation 3.8% (Sep 2025), AWE growth 4.8% (May–Jul 2025), 2.5% floor. Earnings growth was the highest, so 4.8% was applied.

Personal Allowance gap narrows

The full new State Pension (GBP 12,548) now sits just GBP 22 below the frozen Personal Allowance (GBP 12,570). Pensioners with any additional income will likely face income tax.

Regulation High Priority
29 April 2026

Pension Schemes Act 2026 receives Royal Assent

The Pension Schemes Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 after extended parliamentary debate. The Act introduces wide-ranging reforms across DB and DC pensions covering around GBP 2 trillion in retirement savings, with phased implementation over the next several years.

Key measures

  • Small pots consolidation: automatic merging of small DC pots when workers move jobs, to reduce admin charges
  • Value for Money framework: mandatory red/amber/green assessment of DC scheme performance
  • "Megafunds": route for multi-employer DC schemes worth GBP 25 billion+ to drive down fees
  • Default retirement income solutions: trustees of DC schemes must offer at least one default decumulation pathway
  • DB surplus rules: easier release of well-funded DB scheme surpluses to employers and members

What members will see

Most changes operate at scheme level, not directly on members. The phased rollout means some provisions take effect immediately while others depend on secondary legislation expected through 2027–2030.

Estimated saver benefit

The DWP estimates the reforms could benefit an average worker by up to GBP 29,000 over a working lifetime through lower fees and better-pooled investments.

Auto-Enrolment Medium Priority
6 April 2026

Auto-enrolment thresholds held flat for 2026/27

DWP has confirmed the auto-enrolment earnings thresholds are unchanged for 2026/27: trigger GBP 10,000, lower earnings limit GBP 6,708, upper earnings limit GBP 50,270. The decision keeps the qualifying earnings band stable while wage growth gradually increases pension saving in absolute terms.

2026/27 thresholds (unchanged)

  • Earnings trigger: GBP 10,000/year — minimum earnings to be auto-enrolled (eligible jobholder)
  • Lower Earnings Limit (LEL): GBP 6,708/year
  • Upper Earnings Limit (UEL): GBP 50,270/year
  • Qualifying earnings band: GBP 6,708 – GBP 50,270 (max GBP 43,562 contributable)
  • Minimum contribution: 8% (3% employer + 5% employee, including basic-rate tax relief) — unchanged since April 2019

Impact

DWP estimates total private-sector pension saving will rise to around GBP 91 billion in 2026/27 (up from GBP 89 billion), driven entirely by earnings growth within the same threshold band.

Eligibility

Workers aged 22 to State Pension age earning at least GBP 10,000/year must be auto-enrolled. Those earning GBP 6,708–10,000 can opt in and receive a mandatory employer contribution.

No updates match the selected filters.
Page 1 of 4
UK Pension FAQ · 2026/27

UK Pensions — Frequently Asked Questions

State Pension, auto-enrolment, allowances, tax-free cash, and access — verified against gov.uk, HMRC, DWP, MoneyHelper, and the Pensions Regulator (May 2026).

The full new State Pension for the 2026/27 tax year is GBP 241.30 per week, equivalent to GBP 12,548 per year. This applies from 6 April 2026 and represents a 4.8% increase from the 2025/26 rate of GBP 230.25 per week, in line with average wage growth under the triple lock.

The full basic State Pension (for those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016) is GBP 184.90 per week or GBP 9,615 per year.

gov.uk — New State Pension

To receive the full new State Pension, you need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits. To receive any new State Pension at all, you need a minimum of 10 qualifying years.

If you have between 10 and 35 qualifying years, your State Pension is calculated proportionally — for example, 20 qualifying years gives roughly 20/35 of the full rate. The full basic State Pension (pre-2016 system) requires 30 qualifying years.

gov.uk — NI Record

The State Pension age in 2026 is 66 for both men and women. It is legislated to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 for those born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1977.

For those born on or after 6 April 1977, the State Pension age is set to rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046, subject to periodic review by the government. You can check your specific State Pension age using the gov.uk State Pension age calculator.

gov.uk — State Pension Age

The triple lock is the formula used to uprate the State Pension each April. The increase is set at the highest of three measures:

  • CPI inflation in September of the previous year
  • Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) growth for May–July
  • A floor of 2.5%

The 2026/27 uplift was 4.8%, in line with AWE growth between May–July 2025. The triple lock has been maintained by all governments since its introduction in 2010.

House of Commons Library — Benefits Uprating 2026/27

Yes. If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, you can pay voluntary Class 3 contributions to fill them. Currently you can fill gaps going back to 2006/07 under an extended deadline.

Each additional qualifying year typically adds about 1/35 of the full new State Pension (around GBP 358/year in 2026/27). Voluntary contributions are particularly worthwhile if you have fewer than 35 qualifying years and time before reaching State Pension age. You can check your forecast at gov.uk before deciding whether to top up.

gov.uk — Voluntary NI Contributions

The minimum total contribution to a UK workplace pension under auto-enrolment is 8% of qualifying earnings, split as:

  • Employer minimum: 3%
  • Employee minimum: 5% (including basic-rate tax relief)

This applies to qualifying earnings — gross earnings between GBP 6,708 and GBP 50,270 in 2026/27. Earnings below or above this band are not used for the minimum calculation, though employers can choose more generous bases (basic pay or full salary).

TPR — Earnings Thresholds

Employers must auto-enrol workers who are classed as eligible jobholders — those aged 22 to State Pension age, working in the UK, and earning at least GBP 10,000 per year (the auto-enrolment trigger).

Workers aged 16–21 or between SPA and 74 earning above GBP 10,000, and those earning between GBP 6,708 and GBP 10,000, are non-eligible jobholders — they can opt in and still receive employer contributions. Workers earning below GBP 6,708 (entitled workers) can join voluntarily but are not entitled to a mandatory employer contribution.

DWP — AE Thresholds 2026/27

Yes. You can opt out within one month of being enrolled — any contributions already made will be refunded. After this opt-out window, your contributions stay in the pension until you retire, but you can stop paying in.

Your employer is required to automatically re-enrol you every three years, after which you can opt out again. Opting out means losing the employer contribution (effectively turning down 3% or more of qualifying earnings) and giving up tax relief, so it permanently reduces your retirement income.

MoneyHelper — Auto-Enrolment

Pension contributions receive tax relief at your marginal income tax rate, making them tax-efficient compared with saving from net pay.

  • Basic rate (20%): A GBP 100 pension contribution costs GBP 80 net
  • Higher rate (40%): A GBP 100 contribution effectively costs GBP 60
  • Additional rate (45%): Effective cost GBP 55

Basic-rate relief is added automatically (relief at source) or applied before tax (net pay arrangement). Higher- and additional-rate taxpayers must claim the extra relief through Self Assessment.

HMRC — Pension Tax Relief

The standard Annual Allowance is GBP 60,000 in 2026/27, unchanged since 6 April 2023 (when it was raised from GBP 40,000). This is the maximum amount of pension input — including employer contributions, employee contributions, and tax relief — that can attract tax relief in a single tax year.

Contributions above the Annual Allowance trigger an Annual Allowance charge at your marginal income tax rate, effectively clawing back the tax relief on the excess. Unused allowance from the previous three tax years can be carried forward.

HMRC — Annual Allowance

The Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) is a reduced annual allowance of GBP 10,000 that replaces the standard GBP 60,000 limit on defined contribution (DC) pension contributions once you have flexibly accessed a DC pension.

Triggers include taking taxable income from a flexi-access drawdown account, taking an Uncrystallised Funds Pension Lump Sum (UFPLS), or buying a flexible annuity. Taking only the 25% tax-free cash (with no taxable income) does not trigger the MPAA.

HMRC — MPAA

Yes. The Lifetime Allowance (LTA) was officially abolished on 6 April 2024. There is no longer a cap on the total value of pension benefits you can build up.

However, two new allowances replaced it to control tax-free cash:

  • Lump Sum Allowance (LSA): GBP 268,275 — the lifetime cap on tax-free lump sums
  • Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance (LSDBA): GBP 1,073,100 — combined cap on tax-free lump sums plus tax-free death benefits before age 75

Lump sums above these caps are taxed at the recipient's marginal income tax rate.

MoneyHelper — Lump Sum Allowances

If your adjusted income exceeds GBP 260,000 in a tax year, your Annual Allowance is reduced by GBP 1 for every GBP 2 of income above this threshold, down to a minimum of GBP 10,000.

"Adjusted income" includes total taxable income plus employer pension contributions. The tapered Annual Allowance is intended to limit pension tax relief for very high earners. The threshold income calculation is complex and a tax adviser is normally needed for accurate calculation.

HMRC — Pension Schemes Rates

The Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) is currently 55, but it rises to 57 from 6 April 2028. Anyone reaching 55 before that date can still access their pension at 55 under existing rules (subject to scheme-specific protected ages).

The State Pension is separate — it can be claimed from State Pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028).

MoneyHelper — Pension Access

You can usually take up to 25% of each pension as a tax-free lump sum (called a Pension Commencement Lump Sum or PCLS), as long as the total across all pensions stays within the Lump Sum Allowance of GBP 268,275.

This means a single pension worth GBP 1,073,100 or less allows the full 25% tax-free. Above that pot size, the 25% tax-free portion is capped at GBP 268,275 — anything beyond is taxed at marginal income tax rates.

MoneyHelper — Tax-Free Cash

Pension drawdown income (after the 25% tax-free portion) is taxed at your marginal income tax rate — combined with any other taxable income such as the State Pension or earnings.

For 2026/27, the bands are: 0% on the first GBP 12,570 (Personal Allowance), 20% from GBP 12,571 to GBP 50,270 (basic rate), 40% from GBP 50,271 to GBP 125,140 (higher rate), and 45% above GBP 125,140 (additional rate).

HMRC — Income Tax Rates

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) — an industry body, not a government or regulatory source — publishes annual Retirement Living Standards describing the cost of three lifestyles (excluding rent or mortgage, after tax, outside London):

  • Minimum: GBP 13,400/year for a one-person household, GBP 21,600 for two-person
  • Moderate: GBP 31,700 (one-person), GBP 43,900 (two-person)
  • Comfortable: GBP 43,900 (one-person), GBP 60,600 (two-person)

To buy a level annuity producing the Moderate income, a one-person household needs roughly GBP 330,000–490,000 in pension savings (PLSA midpoint around GBP 410,000), assuming the full new State Pension. Comfortable requires roughly GBP 540,000–800,000.

PLSA — Retirement Living Standards 2025 (industry body, not an official source)

Currently, most pension funds are outside the scope of Inheritance Tax (IHT) when paid as discretionary lump sums to beneficiaries. From 6 April 2027, this changes significantly: most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will fall within the IHT estate.

Death-in-service lump sums are excluded from this change. Pensions remaining outside IHT scope before April 2027 may still be passed tax-efficiently to nominated beneficiaries — typically tax-free if the pension holder dies before age 75, or taxed at the beneficiary's marginal rate after 75.

MoneyHelper — Pensions and IHT

How pension figures are derived from the official rates above.

Qualifying Earnings (QE)

Used for auto-enrolment minimum contributions.

QE = max(0, min(salary, 50270) − 6708)

Earnings below LEL (GBP 6,708) and above UEL (GBP 50,270) excluded from minimum calculation.

Total Annual Contribution

Combined employer + employee contributions.

Total = QE × (er% + ee%) + AVCs

Must not exceed Annual Allowance (GBP 60,000), or carry-forward applies.

Tax Relief Boost

Effective relief on employee + AVCs at marginal rate.

Relief = (ee + AVC) × marginal_rate

Basic rate (20%) is automatic. Higher (40%) and additional (45%) claimed via Self Assessment.

State Pension Pro-Rata

Partial new State Pension for fewer than 35 NI years.

SP = min(35, NI_years) ÷ 35 × 12,548

Minimum 10 NI years required for any State Pension. Voluntary Class 3 contributions can fill gaps.

Pension Pot Projection

Compound growth less fund charges.

Pot[n] = (Pot[n-1] + Annual) × (1 + r − f)

r = expected return, f = fund charges. Workplace charge cap is 0.75%.

Tax-Free Lump Sum (PCLS)

25% of pension up to the Lump Sum Allowance.

PCLS = min(0.25 × pot, 268275)

Lifetime cap across all pensions. Excess is taxed at marginal income tax rate.

gov.uk — New State Pension

Important Disclaimer

For educational and informational purposes only. This calculator produces estimates based on the inputs provided and current UK pension rules for the 2026/27 tax year. The full new State Pension is GBP 241.30 per week (GBP 12,548 per year) from 6 April 2026. Auto-enrolment minimum contributions are 8% of qualifying earnings (3% employer + 5% employee), with a qualifying earnings band of GBP 6,708 to GBP 50,270 and an earnings trigger of GBP 10,000. The Annual Allowance is GBP 60,000, the Money Purchase Annual Allowance is GBP 10,000, the Lump Sum Allowance is GBP 268,275, and the Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance is GBP 1,073,100. The Lifetime Allowance was abolished from 6 April 2024. The Normal Minimum Pension Age is 55, rising to 57 from 6 April 2028. State Pension age is currently 66, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will fall within scope of Inheritance Tax.

No warranty of accuracy. While Money Snap takes reasonable care to source figures from official authorities (HMRC, DWP, MoneyHelper, The Pensions Regulator, gov.uk), this calculator is provided "as is" without any express or implied warranty as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or fitness for any particular purpose. Pension allowances, contribution thresholds, State Pension rates, and tax-free cash limits are reviewed and revised periodically by the UK government — figures shown may be out of date. Individual circumstances, contracted-out service, lifetime allowance protections, tapered annual allowance, salary sacrifice arrangements, and self-employed status not captured by the inputs may materially affect actual pension outcomes. Investment growth assumptions are illustrative only — past performance does not guarantee future returns and the value of investments can fall as well as rise.

Not financial advice. Information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Results do not constitute financial, tax, or retirement-planning advice, and use of this calculator does not create an advisory relationship. Before acting on any figure shown, obtain personal advice from an FCA-regulated financial adviser, refer to MoneyHelper for free impartial guidance, or check your State Pension forecast and HMRC pension records at gov.uk for authoritative figures.

Limitation of liability. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Money Snap accepts no liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense — direct or indirect — arising from reliance on this calculator or the information it produces. Users are responsible for verifying all figures with HMRC, DWP, and their pension provider before relying on them. Use of this calculator is subject to our Terms of Use.

Official data sources

Figures verified May 2026. New State Pension £241.30/wk applies from 6 April 2026. Auto-enrolment thresholds maintained for 2026/27. · Data verified May 2026. State Pension figures apply from 6 April 2026. Auto-enrolment thresholds maintained for 2026/27.